Welcome to the Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service website!

"… persons who devote themselves
permanently or temporarily to some special service of the Church are
obliged to acquire appropriate formation which is required to fulfill
their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously,
and diligently."

We assist our bishops and national professional
associations in reviewing and approving certification standards and
procedures for those preparing for pastoral leadership roles in parishes
and in institutions such as hospitals and universities.

We also
offer consultative services aimed at improving the quality of lay
ministry formation programs that are sponsored by arch/dioceses and by
academic institutions.

Pope Benedict XVI has emphasized that lay
ecclesial leaders in the Church must no longer be viewed as
"collaborators" of the clergy but truly recognized as "co-responsible
for the Church's being and action thereby fostering the consolidation of
a mature and committed laity. ”

During this time of the New
Evangelization, our subcommittee realizes that the role of qualified
Ecclesial Ministers may be a leaven for all the laity to become more
aware of their co-responsibility for the Church’s being and action”.

It
is our hope that this website and the resources, developed and shared
through our efforts, will benefit dioceses, organizations, the leaders
formed and those whom they serve. May God bless you all for the gift you
are to the Church.

Mission Statement of the Subcommittee

The
Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service
assists the bishops in establishing, reviewing and approving
certification standards and procedures to be used on a voluntary basis
by arch/dioceses and national organizations in the certification of
specialized ecclesial ministers. It also offers consultative services
aimed at improving the quality of lay ministry formation programs that
are sponsored by arch/dioceses and by academic institutions.

Scope of Approval of Certification Standards and Procedures

The
USCCB Subcommittee only approves certification standards
and procedures for arch/diocesan offices, national organizations of
specialized ministers listed in The Official Catholic Directory, and
national organizations sponsored by state Catholic Conferences.
Arch/diocesan offices, national organizations of ecclesial ministers,
and state Catholic Conferences with approved certification standards and
procedures are listed in the USCCB Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service Directory.

By accepting this message, you will be leaving the website of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This link is provided
solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for,
nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or
sponsoring organizations.